What ATS does Microsoft use?

SAP SuccessFactors holds the job postings, and candidates see a careers site built with Eightfold. We read both from the configuration of apply.careers.microsoft.com.

Does Microsoft parse my resume?

Yes. Microsoft says its system parses your uploaded resume to fill your profile with contact details, skills, experience, education and certifications. Review what it extracted before you apply.

Does a Microsoft referral replace the application?

No. Microsoft says a referral helps connect you to the job, but you still need to complete and submit the application.

If Microsoft says I am a strong match, do I still need the required qualifications?

Yes. Microsoft says you must meet the required qualifications regardless of match labels, which do not imply any outcome.

Big Tech / Enterprise

How Microsoft screens resumes

Microsoft's job postings come from SAP SuccessFactors, an applicant tracking system (ATS), shown on a careers site built with Eightfold. Microsoft says it parses your uploaded resume into a profile. It calls it critical that you review what the parser extracted.

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How we know which system: The careers site at apply.careers.microsoft.com loads Eightfold's careers-site software, and its job-search configuration filters on position.system_id:successfactors. Postings come from SAP SuccessFactors; Eightfold is the site candidates see. Checked on Microsoft’s careers site on 2026-11-06. An employer can change system without announcing it, so treat the date as the limit of this claim.

Before you apply to Microsoft: 6 checks

Each one comes from what the company itself publishes. The sources are further down.

Upload your resume, then read every field the parser filled in. Fix anything it got wrong.
Use standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. These are what Microsoft says it extracts.
Check the required qualifications yourself. A "strong match" label does not replace them.
If you were referred, still submit the application. Microsoft says a referral does not replace it.
Describe your work honestly. Microsoft's candidate code of conduct asks for honest representation on resumes.
Show learning. Microsoft names growth mindset among the values it looks for.

One resume bullet, rewritten for Microsoft

Microsoft names respect, integrity, accountability and growth mindset as the values it looks for, and evaluates skills against the role's requirements. Source: careers.microsoft.com

Before: Azure experience. Fast learner.
After: Learned Azure Kubernetes Service on the job and moved 12 internal services onto it in 5 months; hosting costs fell 30%.

Illustrative example. It is invented, not a real candidate’s CV. Use only numbers you can back up from your own work.

Microsoft's hiring steps, in order

As the company describes them. Steps vary by role and team.

Explore open jobs
Search with or without a profile.
Submit application
Create a profile, confirm you meet the required qualifications, answer the questions, submit.
Application review
Microsoft Recruiting reviews your profile first; then the hiring team can see it.
Interview
Structured interviews against the role's requirements.
Offer, pre-onboard, hired
The last three steps Microsoft lists in its recruiting lifecycle.

Source: careers.microsoft.com Source: careers.microsoft.com

What the Microsoft application asks for

When you upload a resume, Microsoft's system parses out your name, contact details, skills, work experience, education and certifications to fill your profile.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
Microsoft says it is critical to review and confirm what was extracted, so your profile matches your real experience.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
"Strong match" or "good match" labels on jobs do not change anything. You must still meet the required qualifications.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
A referral does not replace the application. You still complete and submit it yourself.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
Microsoft Research roles can include reference letter requests, handled through the careers site's Forms Manager.
Source: careers.microsoft.com

What Microsoft says it looks for

The company's own words, turned into a change you can make to your resume.

Your resume is read by a parser first. Use a single column, plain text and standard section names so the fields land in the right place.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
Microsoft evaluates real skills against the role's requirements. Mirror the posting's required qualifications with evidence from your work.
Source: careers.microsoft.com
Microsoft considers how you will learn, collaborate and contribute across teams. Include one bullet about learning something new and one about cross-team work.
Source: careers.microsoft.com

Microsoft's own words

Use these only where they are true of your work. Show them in a result, not in a list of buzzwords.

Respect
Integrity
Accountability
Growth mindset
Collaboration

Source: careers.microsoft.com

See how your CV reads for a Microsoft job

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Microsoft resume questions

What ATS does Microsoft use?: SAP SuccessFactors holds the job postings, and candidates see a careers site built with Eightfold. We read both from the configuration of apply.careers.microsoft.com.; Source: apply.careers.microsoft.com
Does Microsoft parse my resume?: Yes. Microsoft says its system parses your uploaded resume to fill your profile with contact details, skills, experience, education and certifications. Review what it extracted before you apply.; Source: careers.microsoft.com
Does a Microsoft referral replace the application?: No. Microsoft says a referral helps connect you to the job, but you still need to complete and submit the application.; Source: careers.microsoft.com
If Microsoft says I am a strong match, do I still need the required qualifications?: Yes. Microsoft says you must meet the required qualifications regardless of match labels, which do not imply any outcome.; Source: careers.microsoft.com

Sources

Every claim about Microsoft on this page comes from one of these pages, read on the date shown.

careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/hiringfaqs.html — checked 2026-11-06
careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/hiring-tips.html — checked 2026-11-06
apply.careers.microsoft.com/careers — checked 2026-11-06

Resymetry is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Microsoft. We have no inside knowledge of how Microsoft reviews applications. This page only reports what Microsoft and its hiring tools publish, with links. A good CV check does not guarantee an interview or an offer.